St. Landry democrat., 1887-03-19
r E TRI B i ITO n.
BY "THE DUCHESS"
CHAPTER I.

and Sir Thomas. lifting his head from his
well aired Times, gaZes across the
cable cloth, with a solemnity even more
pronounced than usual, at his stepson,
Grant Boyle
Your mother is late again this morn
ing he says testify. This is, indeed,
Che third time this week she has been be-
hind time"
''Old age begins to assert ITSELF" sug
gests the younger man carelessly.
Something in the Indifference of his
tone nettles Sir Thomas His brow con-
tracts, and he stares angrily at the other,
betrAying how very little love is lost
between them.
Gage has nothing to do with it. Your
n5ther is not failing in any way, however
much that thought may find favor
with You! Your entrance into your
Kingdom will not be yet, I hope and be-
Eeve."
This reference to his inheritance of a
considerable estate on his mothers death
raises a smile upon Boyle's lips and
eontemptuous movement Of his shoul-
Aers.
Il see no disgrace in old age myself"
he says. at has its drawba perhaps'
with look Of studied insolence at Sir
Thomas-''but its privileges too He
laughs slowly. AS you see, my mother
is late--her privilege is to oyersleep her
self. -
'Your mother sir, has not been the
same woman since the robbery of her
jewel case, a month since. It has preyed
upOn her cru lily. as any one-who-
who''---in his odd, fuming manner
..'had spark a. feeling i'll them might
have seen. But you are tro devoted to
your racing, your cards, your town dissi-
pations, to spare thought FOR one of the
best women, the best mothers, who
ever
His indignation is cut short in very
summary manner. The door is flung
wide, and Lady Valworth, entering, tot
terS to the nearest arm chair and sinks
into it.
ooh! Thomas. Oh. good heavens"
she cries THE diamonds
Sir Thomas, tiinging down The Times,
starts to his feet, and turns to her.
s'Why the deuce can't you speak, Lu-
cinda?" says he.
''They are gone.-gone, l tell you!
I've searched everywhere, and they are
not to be found. This is the second rob-
bery-and where is the fault to be laid'
What on earth is to be done?' The poor
woman, growing quite hysterical, covers
her face with her hands, and sobs aloud.
'Your diamonds! The family dia-
raondsl Bless my soul. Has the world
come to an ends cries Sir Thomas. But
there must be some mistake. When''-
putting ON his most magisterial air
did you see them lasts'
t'Two nights ago. / wore them at the
Flyers dinner. You remember, Grant?
You came with US.
eyes, remember says Grant,.
ut is absurd. 1t is outrageous! Is
there no law in the land:' fumes Sir
Thomas. Have you sent for the police
"a detective''--
ttOf what use was the detective we got
down from town about my emeralds?"
asks Lady Valworth despondingly. mo;
it is a conspiracy-a deeply rooted one"
''Nonsensel'' growls Sir Thomas ''it's
burglars. Dye see your mothers con-
Germ, Granit-what do you think, eh?''
.s'Seryants, should say laconically
s'Oh, my dear Granitr' cries his
mother. but which amongst them
would you first suspect? We have had
excellent characters with them all; and
Johanna, as you know, has been with me
for twenty-eight years-in fact ever since
YOU. were born. Her character is surely
established. p"
1T is the people with established
characters who invariably enrich them
selves at the expense of their employers.
In the long rnn, they reward themselves
for the years of correct living that they
have endured. Take my advice, and
keep your eye on Johanna
He laughs cynically. There is, indeed,
what one might almost believe to be an
under current Of amusement in his tone.
4'This Johanna should, indeed, be well
known to your' breaks in Sir Thomas;
..she was your nurse, | believe. She, as
have learned is deytoed to you-has
given you almost a mothers love"
He is gazing 1T the younger man with
n slow scorn in his old, but yet brilliant,
eyes.
eeSurely all that is no reason why
should seek to defraud justice of its
dues says the young man, with an in
doIent uplifting Of his brows. ''You, rs
q magistrate, would surely not suggest
such course
uWhat dye mean, sirs' cries Sir
Thomas, turning upon him SO tercely
that Lady yalworth, who has had cause
to dread a collision between them, rushes
into the breach.
"Pray reserve discussion, however
amicable, until later on, she implores
@xcitedly. II cannot listen to it now,
am SO unstrung-so wretched. The
emeraIds were bad enough; but if moth
ing comes of the loss of these diamonds
T don't believe shall get over it, If they
had been my own, | shouldn't SO much
have cared; but being yours Sir Thomas,
and expected by your heir-I'-
She breaks down again, and subsidies
into tears and her handkerchief.
CHOW must beg You viii not SO allude
inn kGis unfortunate affair SAYS SB